■I. ■^ ^^ 



.^" 



^.^-^^ 















'^ 



^ 



I 



i 



I 



i 






"5 



mm 






''j&m. 






.The -Stoky.. 



..,.v.ii A'/ir."-- 



1?M?« 






...Court Ibouse.-^ 









\\l!(LUim.. 



i T'5 VVI 



' KD BT 



ng^D 



mm 



n 



ooo 



o 11 inlL^ ^ 11 ^<Li^JJM 11 oooo 



OF THEl «=dI & 



'SmugaDnndDim ©dDMimly 



(Dimirtt IHl®^' 



■ooo 



....COMPILED KY... 
DOUGUAS GIGER 

APRIL 29, 190L 



•>-:?W^*^*iC^ 



PHILI-IPS BROS. <S^^^^2B SPRINGFIELD, ILL. 



.S3 G^s' 



-3- -L- 



:t 



3r 



INTRODUCTION. 



In presenting the Story of the Sangamon bounty Court House to 
the public, it has been my purpose to give a brief, concise, yet authen- 
tic history of Sangamon county's various "temples of justice" from 
the stick-chimneyed chink-and-daubed log cabin, to the magnificent, 
unique and substantial structure that now adorns the public square. 

Underlying this story, the reader can but notice the phenominal 
growth of this "richest of counties" from the primitive settlement on 
Spring Creek, when the taxable property consisted of "horses, neat 
cattle, wheel carriages and stock in trade and distillery," (the taxes 
on which were payable in coon skins or such other commodities as 
happened to be on hand), to the present grand, capital county 
of the State with its 72,000 people and $15,000,000 of taxable prop- 
erty. 

I desire to acknowledge and express my appreciation of the valu- 
able services rendered me by my friend, Edward J. Chenery, the 
efficient and obliging secretary of the Abstract and Title Guaranty 
Company, whose assistance has been of inestimable value to me 
in aiding and encouraging me in the work. 

The facts contained in the following pages, have been gathered 
with much care and research, but if those into whose hands they fall 
get the same satisfaction in their perusal, that I have enjoyed 
in digging them out, I shall be fully comj)ensated for my labor. 

The Author. 



O'V-'A-- o-^->. *tt - ♦ ,^. 







;../)^^^>-^ 



^Smt ^ 











j XLbc Qtot^ I 

I of tbe I 

I Sangamon Count? Court Ibouse* | 

In the year 1818 Illinois was admitted to the Union and the same 
year Elisha and John Kelley, natives of North Carolina, with a few 
relatives and friends emigrated to what was then the far, far West. 
They built their cabins and formed a settlement in the timber stretch- 
ing along the Town Branch, a stream that in early days flowed through 
the center of what is now the City of Springfield, Illinois. 

Sangamon county was established by an act of the General Assem- 
bly January 30, 1821, and the original boundaries were approximately 
as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the third principal 
meridian with the Illinois river (near LaSalle) , and following down 
the river to the mouth of Negro creek (say Meredosia), thence strik- 
ing southeasterly across the prairie to the southwest corner of the 
present county, and thence east along the north line of township 12 
to the meridian line (about ten miles east of Taylorville) , and thence 
north to the beginning. It will be seen from these boundaries that 
Sangamon county comprised the very heart of what was then known 
as the famous "Sangamo country" — the most fertile and productive 
land in the United States. By this act it was provided that as soon 
as the county commissioners were elected they should meet at some 
convenient place as near the center of population as possible, and 
such place when selected should be the temporary seat of justice for 
the county. Rivers Cormack, Zachariah Peters and William Dren 
nan were elected commissioners and qualified as such on April 3, T821 

The Kelleys were hunters and had sought this place as a quiet spot 
where they could be "far from the madning crowds' ignoble strife;" 
they wanted to be on the firing line of civilization, but the commis- 
sioners came into their midst for the reason that it was the only place 
in the country where enough families could be found in the vicinity 
to take in the members of the court, and in the kindness of their 



6 

hearts these rough pioneers welcomed them to their cabins. Thus it 
was that in the spring of 1821 the commissioners named above held 
a court at Kelley's settlement, on the waters of Spring creek, and 
Charles R. Matheny was appointed clerk and entered into bond with 
James Latham, of Elkheart grove, as security. At a county commis- 
sioners' court held April 10, 1821, at the house of John Kelley, on 
the waters of Spring creek, the commissioners presented their cer- 
tificate of the location of the temporary seat of justice for the county 
of "Sangamo," in which they state they have fixed and designated a 
certain point in the prairie near John Kelley's field on the waters of 
Spring creek at a stake marked "ZD" as the temporary seat of jus- 
tice for said county, and do further agree that the said county seat 
be called and known by the name of Spring Field. The certificate is 
signed by Zachariah Peter and Wm. Drennan. The certificate being 
recorded in court record "A," page 3. 

The stake marked " ZD " is generally believed to have been set at 
or near the corner of Second and Jefferson streets. 

On April 10, 1821, the commissioners entered into a contract with 
John Kelley, by which Kelley for the sum of $42.50 agreed to build 
a court house in the prevailing style, the logs to be 20 feet long, the 
house one story high, plank floor, a good cabin roof, a door and win- 
dow cut out ; the work to be completed by May 1st, next. This con- 
tract was not quite as lengthy as the Warren Roberts contract ; but 
John Kelley must have fulfilled his part on time, for the record shows 
the next term of court "was held at the court house in Springfield" 
on June 4th, 1821. There was no haggling over red warrants, be- 
cause page 9 shows that on June 5th, John Kelley was allowed $42.50 
due him by contract for building the court house and $5.00 for 
"extras." The record does not disclose what John did with all the 
money. 

Prior to June 5, 182] , the record shows the name of the county as 
Sangamo, but without any apparent reason on this day a letter is 
added making it Sangamon, and so it reads to this day. Another 
peculiar act was performed by the court. The county was divided 
into four districts, and overseers for the poor were appointed — two 
for each district, the court then appointed three trustees to look after 
the overseers of the poor. It does not appear that anyone was ap- 
pointed to look after the trustees. And so the summer passed away 
in this little out-of-the-way village, and along about the time the frost 
began to gather on the pumpkins and the autumn wind to whistle 
through the cracks of this iDrimitive temple of justice and incident- 
ally through the whiskers of the county officers ; they bethought 
themselves of winter cheer. So one Jesse Brevard contracted to 



patch up the court house for the winter. Nine years after this they 
had a snow five feet deep. He agreed to chink outside and daub in- 
side. Boards sawed and nailed on the inside cracks, a good and suf- 
ficient door shutter, to be made with good plank and hung with good 
iron hinges, with a latch. A window to be cut out, faced and cased, 
to contain nine lights, with a good, sufficient shutter hung on the 
outside. A fire-place to be cut out seven feet wide, and a good, suf- 
ficient wooden chimney, built with a good, sufficient back and hearth. 
Jesse did all this for $20.50. 

Robert Hamilton built the county jail for $84.75. 

Joseph Thomas was allowed $1.00 for the plans of this jail, and 
on December 3, 1821, John Taylor, the sheriff, started the first 
racket in the board by claiming the jail was no account. 

At a court held March 1, 1822, the court began to put on a little 
style, so they ordered that fourteen rods east and west, including the 
street, and twelve rods north and south, including the street, in the 
town of Springfield, on which the court house now stands, be set 
apart for public purposes and the accommodation of the court house 
and other public buildings. 

Prior to 1823, the principal occupation of the frontiersman of the 
Kelley settlement consisted in hunting, trapping, fishing and bee- 
hunting; but the fame of the "Sangamo country" spread through the 
land and the town began to fill up with progressive citizens accus- 
tomed to the more advanced ways of the larger cities of the East. 

About this time came such men as Major Elijah lies, Pascal P. 
Enos, Col. Thomas Cox, Charles R. Matheny, Mordecai Mobley, 
Thomas M. Neale, James C. Stevenson and Daniel P. Cook. lies and 
Enos in 1823 laid out the town. It was called "Calhoun" in honor of 
the great nullifier of South Carolina; but the name was not popular 
and but little used, the name of the postoffice being Springfield. The 
streets and alleys and the lots and blocks exist the same today as laid 
out by them in 1823. The plat comprises that portion of the city 
bounded on the west by First street, on the east by Seventh street, 
on the north by Madison street, and on the south by Monroe; the 
public square remaining as it is. All of the persons above named 
proceeded to lay off strips of land between the several streets and 
running from Madison street north to the quarter section line near 
Enos avenue, and from Monroe street south to the quarter section 
line near Lawrence avenue. These strips they deeded to each other 
alternately, so that no one person would have a large tract of land 
near the center of improvements. Major lies kept a store and lived 
at the southeast corner of Jefferson and Second streets. Col. John 
Williams was his clerk. East of this was the store of Jabez Capps. 



8 

Across the street was the store and home of Archer Herndon. Next 
east was Hooper Warren the printer, and next east the home and 
office of P. P. Enos, the public land agent. On the northwest corner 
of Fourth and Jefferson was the residence of Dr. William Jayne's 
father, Dr. Gershom Jayne. This house stood until replaced by 
Central Music Hall. Jefferson street was the only thoroughfare in 
the town and all the business centered about First and Second streets. 
On the southeast corner of First and Jefferson streets stood the 
Abrams Inn; next east the store of John Taylor; next the "Buck 
Tavern," kept by Andrew Elliott. William Carpenter lived and kept 
a store at the southwest corner of Second and Jefferson. On the 
north side of Jefferson, between First and Second streets, were a row 
of small shops occupied by various craftsmen, including the inevit- 
able justice of the peace in the person of Asa Shaw. Following Jeffer- 
son street west to the crossing at the branch (Pasfield street) we find 
the ox-mill and distillery of Colonel Cox. His tavern stood at the north 
side of Jefferson near First street. West of the mill-lot was the rock- 
quarry. On the south side of Jefferson at Pasfield street and across 
the branch was the tan-yard of William Proctor, and up over the hill 
on which the High School stands and a little to the west and south 
was a settlement called "Newsomville" — jocularly called "Nuisance- 
ville" by the jealous residents of the "Old Town." On the south side 
of Jefferson just east of the tan-yard stood the cabin of Uncle Billy 
Fagan, next east the house of William Baker, and next the home of 
John Moor, the step-father of Isaac A. Hawley. On the southwest 
corner of First and Jefferson Streets lived Sherrill the cobbler. Other 
persons here at the time, were Gen. J. D. Henry, Dr. John Todd, 
Edward Mitchell, Dr. John G. Bergen, P. C. Latham, Z. A. Enos, 
Isaac A. Hawley, Gordon Abrams, Dr. Garrett Elkin, Thomas 
Strawbridge, Dr. Darling, Jacob Plank, "Aunt Creecy" a free negress, 
and others. 

At this period the road leading from St. Louis met the road 
from Vincennes at Macoupin point and followed close to the line of 
the old Chatham road, passing the Master's farm house (Second and 
Lawrence) on the east and then swerving to the left over the hill 
through the grove where the Capitol now stands, then up First street, 
crossing the branch at Adams, and on up First to Jefferson, then east 
on Jefferson to Fourth, thence across the country by the Converse 
farm and on northward to Erastus Wright's ferry at Fort Clark 
(Peoria), and then on to Galena and the lead mines. Mr. Wright 
afterwards lived in Springfield and traded eighty acres of land for a 
tame elk that he rode and drove to harness like a horse. The other 
road ran west on Jefferson from First, crossing the branch at the tan- 



9 

yard, ran a little to the southwest passing Newsomville, to the forks. 
Here one road branched off to Beardstown running close to the pres- 
ent line of the Beardstown road; the other struck out to the south- 
west for the Diamond Grove (Jacksonville), following the line of the 
old Jacksonville road. 

By an act of the General Assembly of December 23, 1824, the 
boundaries of the county were re-established, and James Mason, 
Rowland P. Allen, Charles Gear, John G. Lofton and John R. Sloo, 
were appointed commissioners to locate the permanent seat of justice 
of the county. It was stipulated in this act that the parties on whose 
lands the county seat was located, should donate to the county thirty- 
five acres of land adjoining it. 

When the above law was passed, quite a struggle ensued between 
Springfield, Sangamo town and a "paper town" located on the river 
where the water works now stands. The historic town of Sangamo — 
where Lincoln built his flat boat — was located on the westblufiP of the 
river in the northwest quarter of section two in Gardner township. It 
has long been extinct. Charles Broadwell was the proprietor, and at the 
time the question of locating the permanent county seat was agi- 
tated, had grown into quite a respectable town for those days, and 
was actually a better location than Springfield, it was on the water, 
contained several stores, had a saw-mill and grist-mill and a carding 
machine. The other rival of Springfield was a town that existed on 
paper, and was principally owned by speculators from the east, oi 
whom Wm. S. Hamilton, a young lawyer and son of Alexander 
Hamilton, of Aaron Burr fame, was the prime mover. The commis- 
sioners, it seems, were required to view the various sites offered, much 
as parties seeking factory sites do nowadays, and after visiting 
Springfield, with which they were not very much impressed, inquired 
the nearest route to Sangamo and Hamilton's town. 

Major lies and the other citizens would not hear of their leaving 
without a guide, so Andrew Elliott, the keeper of the "Buck 
Tavern," and a noted woodsman volunteered to show them the way. 
It is now about an hour's drive to old Sangamo town, but Elliott 
took the commissioners in a roundabout way through swamps and 
thickets, and back and forth across Spring creek and the river, and 
when the commissioners arrived at Sangamo they were so exhausted 
and disgusted with the supposed inaccessible region, that they would 
listen to no explanations and soon put back to Springfield, where 
after hanging fire like a legislative committee, they finally located 
the permanent county seat. It would be impossible to calculate of 
how much value this decision was for the struggling little town at 
that period. The State warrants for expenses held by the commis- 



10 

sioners were practically worthless, as there were at that date 
no taxable lands, and Major lies intimated that if it should so hap- 
pen that they should select Springfield, he would see that their war- 
rants were cashed. The warrants were cashed. 

The commissioners made formal report to the court March 18, 
1825, that they had located the permanent county seat at Springfield, 
and Major lies and P. P. Enos deeded to the county a tract of land, 
beginning at the northeast corner of Fifth and Monroe streets, thence 
north to the northeast corner of Fifth and Washington streets, thence 
east to the northeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets, thence 
north to Madison street, thence east to the quarter section line be- 
tween Eight and Ninth streets, thence south to Monroe street, 
and thence west to the place of beginning, containing thirty- five 
acres, and including the public square. 

Sarcasm surely existed at this early period, for the court record 
shows that W. S. Hamilton, the disappointed proprietor of the 
"paper town" was magnanimously appointed to make the survey of 
the tract donated to the county, but this appointment was scornfully 
ignored by him, and he soon left this part of the country forever, 
Thomas M. Neale made the survey, for which he was paid $88.95. 

The old court house (the Kelley one) was sold to John Taylor on 
September 7, 1825, for $32.00, and the contract to build a frame 
court house w^as let to Thomas M. Neale for $449.00, except the 
chimney, which was let to Joseph Thomas for $70.00. Robert 
Thompson was allowed $2.50 for the plan of the court house. C)n 
July 15, 1826, the treasurer was ordered to pay T. M. Neale balance 
of $87.00 wdien the court house was finished, or his contract fulfilled, 
and John Taylor and Chas. R. Matheny were appointed to receive 
the house. It was ordered that Chas. White be employed to lath and 
plaster the court house at 37^ cents a yard. This frame court 
house stood on the northeast corner of Sixth and Adams street. 

On January 4, 1830, it was ordered that a brick court 
house be built on or about the middle of the public square, as 
now laid out in the town of Springfield or Calhoun. John Todd, 
Asa S. Shaw and Garret El kin, were appointed agents for the county 
to contract for the building and to superintend the same. The com- 
mittee reported that they let the contract March 2, 1830. On March 
6, 1830, the committee were ordered to have the court house built 
near the center of the square, the soiitheast corner to be at a stake 
set by the commissioners for that purpose. 

The brick court house stood in the middle of the square, and was 
completed in 1831 at a cost of $6,841.00. It was a two-story square, 
brick building, with a hip roof, and cupalo on top, similar to the 



11 

court houses peculiar to the Mississippi valley at that period, and 
from the time it was built all the business of the town centered 
around the square, and the old town on Jefferson street began to de- 
cay. The row of small shops on the east end of the north side of the 
square was called "Chicken Row." In the fall of 1835 a young man 
fresh from the prim and dignified courts of New York arrived in 
Springfield. He wandered into the brick building standing in the center 
of the square, and saw the judge on his bench with his chair tilted 
back, his heels higher than his head, a cob pipe in his mouth, his 
hair all awry, and before him stood a small dark man with long black 
hair pleading his case. Attentively listening sprawled a long soml)re 
form on the low platform used for the judge's rostrum. The room 
was filled with men laughing and smoking. The judge was Stephen 
T. Logan, acknowledged to be the greatest lawyer Illinois has ever 
produced. The little man was Stephen A. Douglas the "Little 
Giant," and the form on the floor was that of Abraham Lincoln, des- 
tined in the years to come to be the two foremost characters in the 
most formidable crisis the Union ever knew^ 

On March 10, 1881, the old court house (on 6th and Adams) and 
the lot on which it stood were sold to John B. Moffett for $620.00. 

On March 10, 1831, it was ordered that 30 feet of the north end of 
the public square be appropriated for a walk, provided a brick mark- 
et house is built in the street not less than 40 feet long. This 
market house stood in the middle of Sixth street just north of Wash- 
ington, with a driveway on either side, the street being widened for 
that purpose. 

In the Legislature at Vandalia in the session of 1836-7, Sangamon 
county was represented by two senators and seven members of the 
lower house. They were a singular body of men, all tall and angu- 
lar and their combined height was exactly 54 feet, they are famous 
in Illinois history as the "Long Nine." The men were Abraham 
Lincoln, Ninian W. Edwards, Archer G. Herndon, Job Fletcher, 
John Dawson, Andrew McCormack, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin 
and Robert L. Wilson. "Honest Old Abe" contributed four inches to 
make the average six feet. 

The capitol of the State at this time was at Vandalia, hav- 
ing been removed there from Kaskaskia and as the tide of emmigra- 
tion was moving northward it was conceded that the capitol must be 
nearer the center of population; although Vandalia and Southern 
Illinois fought hard agaist it. 

The people were wild over a mania called internal improvements, 
a plan of which Governor Duncan was a strong advocate, and which 
eventually plunged the State into bankruptcy. From the beginning 



12 

of the session the " Long Nine" set to work "log rolling." They 
asked for no public improvements; they wanted no railroads, no 
canals, no plank roads, but would help out any member that did 
want them for his district, if he would vote to remove the capital to 
Springfield. 

There were many applicants, and on the first ballot Springfield had 
but 35 out of 121 votes. The vote stood as follows: Springfield 85, 
JacksDnville 14, Vandalia 16, Peoria 16, Alton 15, scattering 25. 
Illiopolis, a "paper town" of mammoth proportions, covering 8,000 
acres, laid out near the site of the present village of that name, by 
Governor Duncan, John Taylor, Eli C. Blakenship and the Sangamo 
Land Company, received ten votes on the second ballot. " Poor old 
Peoria," as usual, brought up the rear and Springfield captured the 
prize on the fourth ballot, 

The city and county have never made any public recognition of 
the valuable services rendered by the " Long Nine," and it is to be 
hoped that if a monument is not erected to their memory in the 
court house park, their names at least may be inscribed on the 
historic walls of the building they so skillfully obtained for Spring- 
field. 

By an act supplemental to the act permanently locating the seat of 
government of Illinois at Springfield, approved March 3, 1S37, the 
county commissioners were empowered to convey to the governor of 
the State the property known as the "public square" in the city 
of Springfield, containing two and a half acres, and the deed to 
Governor Joseph Duncan is recorded in Book " K," page 503. 
In Book "O," page 319, is recorded a contract between the commis- 
sioners and Leroy L. Hill, in which Hill gives the commissioners 
the right of taking from his stone quarry on Sugar creek, all the 
rock they want from December ], 1837, to January, 1841, at the rate 
of $1.00 per load. Mr. Hill's farm was on Sugar creek near the 
home of Uncle Philemon Stout, and the peculiar rock in the present 
building came from this quarry. Daniel C. and David A. Brown, 
twin brothers, and well known citizens, at fifteen years of age sawed 
all the lath used in the building. 

By reason of a defect supposed to exist in the former deed to 
the state an order was entered by the court February 10, 1847, 
authorizing the commissioners to execute another deed to the State 
for the public square, and the deed to Governor French can be 
found in Book " Y," page 581. 

An act legalizing both deeds was passed Feb. 17, 1847. 

An act passed Feb. 25, 1867, provided for the erection of a new 
State house and the Governor was empowered to reconvey to the 



13 

county of Sangamon and the city of Springfield the public square for 
the sura of $200,000, and the further consideration that the grantees 
cause to be conveyed to the State the tract on which the capitol now 
stands on Second street. The deed from Gov. John M. Palmer to 
the county and city is recorded in book 41, page 44, and the deed 
from the city to the county is recorded in book 41, page 45. 

One of the conditions of locating the capitol in Springfield in 1837 
was that the city should pay $50,000 toward the erection of the build- 
ing, and although the population was but 1,100, the brave little town 
met the first two installments promptly, but the third fell due just as 
the great financial crash swept over the country and while the build- 
ing was still uncompleted. On March 22, 1838, 101 loyal citizens 
executed their joint note to the State Bank of Illinois for $16,666.67 
and the money was paid to the State. The note was paid off when 
it became due and is now preserved at the Ridgely bank. The note 
was signed by John Hay, Joseph Thayer, M. O. Reeves, W. P. 
Grimsley, William Wallace, Thomas Mather, D. Prickett, Washing- 
ton lies, Joel Johnson, Wm. S. Burch, C. R. Matheny, Wm. Butler, 
P. C. Latham, N. W. Edwards, J. T. Stuart, George Pasfield, B. C. 
Webster, S. M. Tinsley, J. F. Amos, S. Conant, R. B. Zimmerman, 
James L. Lamb, B. Ferguson, B. Talbott, Simeon Francis, Nathaniel 
Hay, Robert Irwin, V. Hickox, Geo. Trotter, S. T. Logan, E. M. 
Henkle, J. W. Keyes, Jno. G. Bergen, E. Wright, E. D. Baker, A. 
Lincoln, Garrett Elkin, G. Jayne, Abner Y. Ellis, S. H. Treat, E. lies, 
James Maxcy, W. M. Cowgill and others. 

The cost was estimated at $130,000, but the sum of $240,000 was 
expended on the building. 

After the conveyance of the public square to the State in 1837, the 
brick court house standing in the middle of the square was demolished 
to make room for the State house, which was immediately erected on 
the ground. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies 
July 4, 1837. While this structure was in course of erection the 
State departments were removed in wagons (there being no railroads) 
from Vandalia to Springfield, and the Senate occupied the First 
Methodist church on the southeast corner of Monroe and Fifth streets 
and the House of Representatives used the old Second Presbyterian 
church, on the west side of Fourth street and south of the alley, just 
north of the present church. The supreme court sat in the Episcopal 
(St. Paul's) church. 

In 1837, after such conveyance to the State, the county leased the 
buildings on the west side of Fifth street, just north of Washington, 
the same being known as "Hoffman's Row." 



14 

HofPman's Row was occupied by the county until ] 845, when a lot 
on the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets, fronting 
78| feet on Sixth and 160 feet on Washington, was purchased by the 
county, May 14th of that year, and on which another brick court 
house, with stone portico and trimmings, was built. 

It stood just north of the old building of the State Bank of Illi- 
nois, the two buildings occupying the half block on the east side of 
the square. They were massive, picturesque structures, and added 
much dignity to the town. The bank was a Grecian temple on the 
Corinthian order, and the court house was of Doric architecture 

The building was to cost according to the contract, $9,680. 

This building was used by the county from 1845 to January, 1876, 
when the State moved its offices to the present State capitol and va- 
cated the public square, which had been reconveyed to the county by 
deed of Oct. 23, 1869, nearly seven years before. The county then 
moved into the present building, and the court house, on 6th and 
Washington streets, was torn away, the ground subdivided into busi- 
ness lots and sold off in 1877. 

The old State House, being large and spacious, served eminently 
for a court house, and for many years was amply sufficient for the 
needs of a county building. But the county was rapidly growing in 
population and wealth, and the business necessarily transacted at 
the court house gradually increased, until it became apparent, that, 
sooner or later, more room must be provided. 

Another matter which began to be taken into account, was the 
condition of the building with regard to fire. John Kelley's con- 
tract had no such phrases as "absolutely fire-proof" or "practically 
fire-proof," and, indeed, the old State House seems to have been con- 
structed without taking danger from fire into consideration at all, 
except that the office of the State Treasurer (used by the county for 
the recorder's office) , was provided with a so called fire-proof vault. 
The remainder of the building, and especially the roof and dome, 
would in these days be called "a veritable fire trap." 

This matter of jeopardizing the county records, which, if destroyed 
could never be replaced, was often pointed out and thoroughly dis- 
cussed. Finally, on the 11th of June, 1897, Dr. A. L. Converse 
introduced a resolution in the Board of Supervisors, setting forth 
the need of additional room, the danger from fire, etc., and providing 
for the appointment of a committee to investigate the matter. 

On December 16th this committee reported in substance, that they 
had found a bigger job than they expected, and advised that nothing 
be done until the finances of the county would justify giving the 
building a general overhauling. 



15 

About this time, many of the business men of the city, especially 
around the square, began to get ashamed of the old soft gravel walks 
in the court house yard and sent a petition to the county board 
asking them to replace these horrid walks with something more 
up-to-date. The majority of the supervisors, however, were farmers, 
and were not afraid of a little mud, and politely suggested to their 
"city cousins" that there were other things needed more than walks. 

Public sentiment, when aimed in a certain direction, is a potent 
factor in influencing to action men in public service The need of 
doing something with the court house was now fully apparent, but 
public sentiment was greatly divided on what to do. 

One idea advanced was to sell off three-fourths of the public square 
and build a new court house on the remaining quarter with the 
money thus obtained. H. H. Biggs introduced a resolution in the 
board of supervisors to this effect September 13, 1898. 

This idea met with violent opposition. The old building was one 
of historic interest. It halls had echoed the voices of Lincoln and 
Douglas in matters of vital import to the State and Nation. Within 
its walls Stephen T. Logan, Illinois' greatest lawyer, and other noted 
men had pleaded with juries for the lives and liberties of their fellow 
men. Its corridor had been made sacred by having held in state, the 
remains of the lamented Lincoln. Under its dome many stirring 
scenes, "in times which tried men's souls" had been enacted. So filled 
was, indeed, the whole structure with recollections, pleasant and 
otherwise, that the sentiment was well nigh universal, that the ap- 
pearance of the time-honored building must not be molested. 

A resolution in harmony with this feeling, but pointing to some 
plan for improving the building was introduced in the County Board 
September 15, by Thomas C. Mather, and met with hearty support. 
It was generally agreed that, sometime, somehow, something must 
be done to enlarge the space and fireproof the building but the great 
obstacle in the way, as is usual in such cases, was how to meet the 
expense. The financial condition of the county lent little encour- 
agement. The constitutional levy of 75c on the $],00 hardly fur- 
nished sufficent revenue to defray the current expenses of the Coun- 
ty. The railroad bonds isssed on account of the Springfield and Illi- 
nois Southeastern, and Oilman, Clinton, and Springfield railroads 
had not all been paid. The permanent location of the State Fair at 
Springfield had cost the County $75,000, none of which had been 
paid. However, the matter was referred to a committee which at a 
special meeting- October 4th, reported that they had fully examined 
the building, found it inadequate, dangerous and unsafe; that they 
believed it inexpedient and undesirable to sell off any of the 



17 

ground, but advised that steps be taken at once, to remodel, enlarge 
and fireproof the old building. On the acceptance of this report the 
Board decided to submit the question of levying a tax of $100,000 to 
remodel the Court House, to the voters of the county at the county 
election in November. This action of the Board was taken in a 
'•committee of the whole;" it found itself in the (w)hole many times 
afterward. 

A majority of the votes cast on the question, at the election, were 
in favor of the additional tax, so the question of remodeling the court 
house came squarely before the board of supervisors. 

The question of 2iic(^ts now became the paramount idea, and every- 
body had a notion of his own. It was thought that the large corridor 
running north and south through the building, if properly utilized, 
would afford the necessary additional room, and would not "change 
the external appearance of the building." Some advocated building 
wings on the building, others tearing off the roof and adding a story 
on the top, but as these were not in harmony with the prevailing 
idea, but little attention was paid to them. S. J. Hanes, one of the 
architects, who afterwards furnished the plans, advanced the idea of 
raising the building and constructing a complete story underneath, 
which, he insisted would not mar the external appearance but rather 
improve it. This idea, although it was later adopted, was looked 
jpon as an utter impossibility and cast aside. Mr. Mather solved 
che problem for the time being with an omnibus resolution which, in 
mbstance, provided for an extension of $20,000.00 on the tax books 
for the ensuing year by way of a starter ; that architects be invited 
to prepare plans and specifications, to present to the board ; that cer- 
tain premiums be offered to architects to induce them to submit plans ; 
that the necessary committee be appointed, etc., etc. Lest the pre- 
vailing idea should be lost sight of, E. S. Scott tacked on a little pro- 
viso that none of the plans should provide for any " change in its 
external appearance." This resolution was then adopted by a vote of 
21 to 16, with the express understanding that the cost should not ex- 
ceed $50,000.00, and the following committee appointed, being the 
first committee on "Remodeling the Court House:" E. L. Stock- 
dale, of Talkington, J. H. Maxcy, of Island Grove, J. H. Crowder, of 
Cotton Hill, Thomas C. Mather and H. H. Biggs, of Capital town- 
ship. At the next meeting, this committee submitted three plans, 
and after much deliberating, a plan presented by S. J. Hanes was 
adopted, but the proposition to raise the building was defeated. 
Hanes and S. A. BuUard were jointly employed to superintend the job. 

The contract was let on March 29, 1899, to Warren Roberts & Co., 
of Chicago, for $49,850.00. 



18 

On April 5th, the county officers moved to their temporary quar- 
ters, the most of whom found shelter in the I. O. O. F, building, cor- 
ner Fourth and Monroe streets. The building committee was now 
changed. E. S. Scott and J. M. Amos were appointed in place of 
Messrs. Biggs and Crowder whose term expired, and Mr. Simmons in 
place of Mr. Mather, who did not wish to serve longer on the com- 
mittee. Mr. J. O. Joy, chairman of the Board was also added to the 
committee. This committee chose Mr. George Simmons as general 
overseer. At the expiration of their term, Messrs. Scott and Amos 
were succeeded by Philip Nelch and G. W. M. Gordon, otherwise 
the committee remained the same. 

After the contract had been let and the old building dismantled, 
those who frequented the court house began to entertain some fear 
lest after all the building, when remodeled, would not furnish the 
necessary room. Hanes still stuck to his theory that the building 
could be raised and its appearance preserved, and even augmented. 
This theory gradually gained in favor until finally. May 15, Mr. 
Mather secured the passage of a resolution in conformity with this 
idea. Of course it became necessary to get the consent of the con- 
tractor in order to [make the change, but "Barkis was willin' " and 
accordingly on the 14th day of June a second contract was made with 
the same firm (they being the lowest bidders), by which the entire 
building was to be raised eleven feet, and a complete story built 
underneath, for $27,500. This was the greatest feat of engineering 
skill ever attempted in the county, but it was successfully done. 
Several weeks were consumed in placing the "jacks" and blocks into 
position, but when at length everything was ready, the entire build- 
ing was raised the eleven feet in about twelve days, or an average 
of nearly a foot a day, and it was generally conceded that the ap- 
pearance of the structure had been enhanced rather than deteriorated, 
except that the dome now "looked too squatty," and the agitation at 
once arose that it too must be improved. All the contracts up to this 
time had provided for making the building "practically fire-proof," 
and as the old framework in the roof and dome was the worst fire- 
trap of all, it was soon decided that it must "go." So after the usual 
"'resolutin' " the contract for a new roof and dome was let to the 
same firm for $12,000. The court house w^as now very much like the 
Irishman's old barrel; although it had had new heads, new hoops and 
new staves, Pat still maintained it had the same old "bung," and con- 
sequently was the same old barrel; so it appeared, especially to those 
who had opposed the improvements, that the only thing to be left of 
the old court house would be the "buna:," if it had one. 



19 

This completed the improvements so far as the building; was con- 
cerned, although it was sarcastically suggested that the stone in the 
walls "looked pretty shabby." New troubles arose, however, in the 
way of furniture. Something up-to-date and commensurate with 
the improved building must be provided. This proved to be as per- 
plexing a problem as the building itself. For nearly two years 
the board of supervisors wrestled with it. There were whereases 
and resolutions innumerable, motions, amendments, substitutes, 
re-considerations and tax levies galore; and always the inevitable 
"committee," without which no special work by a public body of men 
is ever possible. Finally two contracts were let, one to Greo. D. 
Barnard & Co. of St. Louis, for the steel furniture, consisting of fire- 
proof file cases, book shelves, counters, etc., for the sum of $20,517; 
and one to the Wollaeger Mfg. Co. of Milwaukee, for wooden furni- 
niture consisting of tables, desks, chairs, and other innumerable par- 
aphernalia for the various rooms and offices for $11,750. (Jacob 
Ellis supplied the "furniture" for the first court house which con- 
sisted of a judge's seat and bar, for which he received the ex- 
horbitant (?) sum of four dollars and fifty cents.) 

Daring the progress of the remodeling of the court house tlie old 
soldiers sent a petition to the County Board asking that a room be 
set apart for the use of the Grand Army of the ReiDublic. The old 
veterans usually get what they go after, and the result of their effort 
in this direction is that now an elegant room on the fourth floor has 
been provided and neatly furnished for their "use, benefit and behoof 
forever," and which is known as Grand Army Hall. 

Another matter was brought to the attention of the board, but as 
yet no action has been taken. When a citizen of the county becomes 
insane the only place to confine him pending an investigation and 
commitment to an asylum, is the jail along with common criminals. 
Judge Murray has been especially active in an effort to have a room 
in the court house which might be fitted up expressly foi" this pur- 
pose. The board at one time acted favorably on his suggestion and 
recommended that such a place be provided, but somehow in the 
confusion it has been overlooked. The committee and architects, 
however, are of the opinion that some of the unoccupied rooms can 
yet be fitted up for this purpose, and it is to be hoped that they will 
be able to do so, and in future spare the families of such unfortunate 
people the humiliation of seeing their relatives and friends confined 
like criminals in a common bastile. 



20 

The total cost of remodeling the court house can, at present, be 

only approximated, as the work is not entirely completed and many 

of the little incidentals are not yet paid for. The following figures, 

however, are substantially correct: 

The Warren Roberts Co., three contracts and extras. ..$103,220 07 

Less credits for old material sold and changes 2,491 86 

$100,728 21 

Geo. D. Barnard & Co. , contract and extras 20.971 75 

The W oUaeger Mfg. Co. , contract and extras 12,471 00 

Hanes and BuUard, architects 6,771 40 

Electric wiring, clocks, frescoe, arbitration, etc 9,186 02 

Furnishing Grand Army Hall 2 259 80 

Cement walks, etc 2,736 72 

Making a total cost of improvements to date, not including the 
curtains, carpets, linoleum, furnishing dormitory, etc $155,125 90 

In order to get the total expense the county has been to on account 
of the remodeling of the court house, there should be added to the 
above, $16,994, which has been paid out for rent, moving and other 
miscellaneous items, which, with a reasonable estimate for the un- 
completed w^ork, will make in round numbers $175,000 as the total 
cost of the improvements. 

The old "gravel paths" through the court house yard have now 
been supplemented by cement walks which defy stone itself in 
strength and durability, diverging from the building and angling 
across the grounds, making it easily accessible from every direction. 
Two large cannon, the combined weight of which is 6,900 pounds, 
stationed on either side of the building add much to the ornamenta- 
tion of the grounds. These are the gift of our distinguished citizen, 
Congressman Ben, F. Caldwell, and are dedicated to the county in 
honor of her soldiery. 

Judge James H. Matheney once planted a maple tree in the court 
house grounds, just southwest of the building, which he dedicated to 
Stephenson Post No. 80, G. A. R. This tree was struck by lightning 
and materially disfigured. On Friday afternoon, April 26, 1901, the 
Post reciprocated this tender act of affection by planting to his mem- 
ory a beautiful poplar tree near the site selected by the deceased 
judge for his tree. The planting was attended with appropriate exer- 
cises, Judge G. W. Murray delivering the address. 

Another ornament (?) once adorned the public square, but which 
has loug since been removed. This was the ivhippihg post which 
stood near the northeast corner of the square, adjacent to the jaii. 
This post has passed out of the recollection of many of the old in- 
inhabitants, and a majority of our citizens of today do not know that 
one was ever established. Such is the fact, however, and several 
persons "paid the penalty of their misdeeds" at that post. An old 
settler informed the writer that it was only used for "little offenses 



'21 

like petty stealing and wife-beating." It is said that James D. 
Henry was the last sheriff who used the post, and he often remarked 
that he was so chicken-hearted that he suffered more when inflicting 
the penalty than the offender he punished. On the other hand, Judge 
Sawyer rather enjoyed seeing the punishment inflicted. It finally 
came to be looked upon as a "relic of barbarism" and dropped into 
disuse. 

The building itself, as it stands today, is a marvel of strength and 
beautj\ It is the Grecian-Doric style of architecture, especially ap- 
plicable to buildings of its character, and is one of the very few to 
be found anywhere in the United States. It is 123 feet long, 90 
feet wide, and to the top of the flag-staff is 154 feet. From the 
ground to the cornice line is 57 feet. The porticos on the north and 
south project 11| feet. There are three full floors of offices and an 
upper story in which is the G. A. R. hall, the dormitory, the gallery 
of the circuit court and storage rooms. 

Grand, solitary, dignified, historic old structure, sufficient for 
years for the needs of the great commonwealth of Illinois, yet grown 
too small for the business of a county. For three-quarters of a cen- 
tury it has been a faithful servant of the public, and as it stands to- 
day, remodeled, enlarged, renewed, bids fair to perform its part and 
take its place in the history of another century, which is yet to be 
made and written. 

It may be of interest to note, briefly, something of the history of 
the county as a county, from its origin to the present time. There 
were originally (June 5, 1821), four townships, as follows: 

'"Sangamon, comprised 'all the territory east of Edward's old trace.' " 

"Springfield, west of Edward's old trace including all the settle- 
ments on Spring Creek.'' 

"Richland, west of Spring Creek and south of the Sangamon river." 

"Union, west of Edward's old trace, and north of the Sangamon 
river." 

Thus it will be seen that the Kelly settlement on Spring Creek 
was the "hub" from which all the rest of the unsettled territory 
branched. As this remote territory settled up new counties were 
formed out of the famous Sangamo, and gradually its proportions 
decreased to its present size. Macon, on the east, swung. off Jan- 
uary 19, 1829. Morgan, on the west, next "followed suit" February 
12, 1835, Cass, on the northwest, was next to go March 3, 1837. 
Logan, on the north, and Dane (now Christian), on the southeast, 
simultaneously severed their connection with us February 15, 1839. 
Finally, little Menard concluded she could take care of herself, and 



22 

organized as a county February 28, 1847.* Late in the year I860, 
Sangamon county, by vote decided to change her form of govern- 
ment and adopted the "New England" system of township organiza- 
tion. Accordingly, April 29, 1861, the first board of supervisors met 
at the court house and organized by electing William Lavely chair- 
man. This was just forty years ago, and forty years after the 
organization as a county (April, 1821), There were then 23 super- 
visors representing 22 townships, Springfield having two supervisors. 
There are now 27 townships with 40 supervisors, the city having 13. 

In 1821 the tax rate was "one-half percentum" and George Hay- 
worth, the county treasurer for that year, 'reported to the court that 
he had collected $447.44, and his report shows charges against the 
county amounting to just $447.44. George must have figured pretty 
close, or else collected just enough to pay expenses and then quit. 
After reducing the territory to about one-seventh its original size 
the assessed valuation in 1900 was $14,386,168.00, the rate being two 
and one-half mills higher than in 1821. 

The first officers of the county were: 

Probate Judge — James Latham. 

SherifP— John Taylor. 

County Clerk — Charles R Matheny. 

Circuit Clerk — Charles R. Matheny. 

Recorder — Charles R. Matheny. 

Treasurer — George Hay worth. (James Sims having refused to 
qualify.) 

Coroner — Joseph Dickson. 

Surveyor — James C. Stephenson. 

Prosecuting Attorney — Samuel D. Lockwood. (Later judge of 
the supreme court. 

Prosecuting Attorney in 1835 — Stephen A. Douglas. 

*The above dates refer to the final establishing of the county lines as they exist today- 



23 



COMPLETE DIRECTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 

OFFICERS, DEPUTIES, ETC. 

Circuit court room, third floor, west side. 

JUDGES. 

James A. Creighton, Springfield. 
Robert B. Shirley, Carlinville. Owen P. Thompson, Jacksonville. 

Official court reporter, third floor, south side. 

Thomas H. Cheney, Reporter. Nellie Cheney, assistant. 

Blaster in chancer)/, third floor, southeast corner. 

Charles A. Keyes, Master. Mary Lawler, stenographer and type- 

[ writer. 
Clerk of the Circuit Court, first floor, northivest corner. 

E. Dow Matheny, Circuit Clerk. 

deputies. 

John L, Bliss, 

George N. Kratnp, Eleanor Matheny. 

County court room, second floor, east side. 

George W. Murray, Judge. 

County clerlih office, second fioor, southeast corner. 

Charles E. Opel, County Clerk. 

deputies. 

H. D. Giger, Chief Deputy. 

Eugene McLaughlin, Fred W. Long (Probate), 

Edwin L. Hurt, George J. Ambrose. 

Sheriff, first floor, north side. 

Charlie M. Woods, Sheriff. 

deputies. 

John H. Underwood, Chief Deputy. 

Peter Ettelbrick, James A. Raynolds, 

Frank Ryan, William O. Guyton! 

George W. Denton, bailiff county court. 

James J. Powers and Chas. A. Clayton, bailiffs circuit court. 

Edward M. Cresse, jailer. 

Dennis Gannan and Harry Taylor, turnkeys. 

Thomas P. Galligan, assistant turnkey. 

County treasurer and supervisor of assessments, first floor, southwest corner. 

Richard F. Kinsella, Treasurer. 

deputies. 

Patrick J. Rourke, Chief Deputy. 

Charles T. Headenburg, Simon M. Rogers, Department Supt. Ass^mHs. 



24 



County recorder, first floor, southeast corner. 
Benjamin Rich, Recorder. 

DEPUTIES. 

Arthur S. Peel, Chief Deputy. 
Florence A. Rich, 
Chas. R. Peel, custodian of records. 

Stateh attorney''s office, first floor, northeast corner. 

William E. Shutt, Jr., State's Attorney. 
Horace S. Miller, Assistant. 

County superintendent of schools, second floor, northwest corner. 

Charles VanDorn, Superintendent. 
Otho L. Caldwell, Assistant. 

Coroner'' s Office. 
Charles J. Baer, Coroner. 

County Surveyor^ Office. 
Allen Enos, Surveyor. 

Janitors. 

Jacob Ruch, Chief Janitor. 

Edward Fossett, James Osby, 

John Highfield, Night Watchman. 

Probate court (not yet established) , second floor, ivest side. 

Grand jury room, third floor, north side. 

G. A. M. hall, fourth floor, east side. 

Supervisors'' room, third floor, east side. 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1901. 



G. C. Edwards, Chm... Buffalo Hart 
J. C. Allen Capital 

E. M. Anderson Maxwell 

A. M.Archer Cotton Hill 

Geo. J. Barrett Capital 

Chas. Baughman Curran 

H. H. Biggs Capital 

T. E. Brittin Williams 

J. R. Burtle Ball 

J. T. Capps Capital 

F. E. Edmands Capital 

J acob Frisch Capital 

Frank Godley Capital 

G. W. M. Gordon Capital 

T. J. Gorey Chatham 

C. B. Hall Mechanicsburg 

0. M. Hatch Capital 

C. A. Havey Gardner 

James Herrin Lanesville 

M. J. Howard Springfield 



J. 0. Joy Loami 

Thomas Mather Capital 

J. H. Maxcy Island Grove 

Henry Mester Springfield 

M. F. Murphy New Berlin 

C. T. Murphy Auburn 

J. D. Myers Capital 

Philip Nelch Capital 

K. N. Olson Salisbury 

Andrew Reid Woodside 

A. Robinson Cooper 

M. J. Sanders Pawnee 

J. L. Shartzer Illiopolis 

E. L. Stockdale Talkington 

Thomas Thornton Rochester 

T. A. Tomlin Cartwright 

John Underf anger Capital 

Rufus Underwood Divernon 

E. C. Vandagrift Fancy Creek 

Chas. Werner Clear Lake 






25 



April 29, 1861. April 29, 1901 

REOPENING OF THE COURT HOUSE. 

Fortieth Anniversary of the Organization of the Board of 
Supervisors of Sangamon County. 

program of exercises: 

Invocation Rev. David F. Howe 

Music 

Address Hon. Thomas C. Mather 

Representing the Building Committee. 

Music 

Address Hon. William L Gross 

" Sangamon County, and its Judiciary," 

Music 

Address Hon. James A. Connolly 

On behalf of the Grand Array. 

Music 

Address J udge George W. Murray 

"Our New Court House aud Special Guests — The Grand Army of the 

Republic." 

Music 

Benediction Rev. Father Timothy Hickey 

Joseph O. Joy, Master of Ceremonies. 

Exercises in circuit court room to begin promptly at 8 o'clock p. m. 

John T. Capps, 

Jacob Frisch, 

Charles T. Murphy, 

Committee in Charge. 


















v» "^ J. ' . • * 
















^"V. 



:^^X ">^/;^^>Xr,^^!':^^^>^ 



^c^*' ^^ 












Jo 



- V .'■ 



0' 






"^ e. « o . V 



•A^ 






.'=>^r 






*' *• '^ ^ 



.0' >- 



»-^^^ 



aP 













^o 









.<^ 






"^o"^ 



' ■% '.^^2^^ ^t:^ -^o 









©• 



'to ■ 



-^0 






^^•«* .;^^^ %^/ .;:p^% -^_/ 



\ 



^^^>^^o' rt'-^ 















o- 



^. 



A^ o»"''-^ <^. 



<<*•• o o - « ^ .<o (^V 






% °o 



Vi> 6 O " « , <s>. 



' V. 



•7\ 






^^-^^^ V 



<^ " ' ^ ., -^ ^ " " '^^ ^ 



^O 



FEB 




.^^' "^^ 






vr*' 



• . . « * 



vfc.,^1 •i:«^-°o .X .^^5s;:' "-?,. c°\c;;^-°o 



